Manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module and a cooling device using the thermoelectric module

ABSTRACT

A manifold having such a built-in and round thermoelectric module that is capable of coming into an efficient contact with heat exchanging media, to afford an improved efficiency of heat exchange. The module easy to manufacture has a structure facilitating the multiplication of its thermoelectric elements. The manifold ( 1 ) generally consisting of a heating side section ( 2 ) and a cooling side section ( 3 ) has a cooling side agitator ( 5 ), a heating side agitator ( 6 ), the module ( 7 ) and a motor assembly ( 8 ), all incorporated in or attached to the manifold. The module has heat transfer upright faces ( 50,51 ) so that any bubbles coming into cavities ( 52,55 ) are allowed to ascend along the faces and then leave the manifold ( 1 ) through outlets ( 22,43 ) protruding from an upper portion of the manifold. Permanent magnets ( 33 ) accompanying the agitators ( 5,6 ) act to transmit torque from one of them ( 6 ) to the other ( 5 ). Square thermoelectric elements ( 111 ) are sandwiched between aluminum discs ( 112,113 ) to form a generally round module ( 120 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a manifold with a built-inthermoelectric module. Further, the present invention relates to acooling device having a thermoelectric module and also to the moduleitself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, flon gases have been reported as the cause of the worldwideproblem of ozonosphere destruction. Therefore, it has been required todevelop as soon as possible new cooling devices or apparatuses operatingwithout any flon gas. Among such devices or apparatuses that have beenproposed, one that comprises a thermoelectric module is attractingattention in this field of industries.

Those thermoelectric modules are also known as Peltier modules and haveeach a pair of heat transfer faces or plates such that one of them willbe heated, with the other being cooled, as an electric current is fedthrough them.

An example of the cooling devices using the thermoelectric modules isdisclosed in the gazette “WO92/13243” (of International PatentApplication No. PCT/AU92/00008).

The prior art shown in this gazette “WO92/13243” proposes a manifoldhaving a thermoelectric module built therein in such a manner that twoopposing cavities formed in the manifold is partitioned with saidmodule. One of those cavities is in contact with one of the heattransfer faces that is being heated, wherein a closed circuit comprisinga heat exchanger and a pump extends through the one cavity. Likewise,the other cavity in contact with the other transfer face being cooledcommunicates with another closed circuit also comprising a further heatexchanger and a further pump. Thus, two circulation systems are providedfor heat exchanging media that may typically be water. One such systeminvolves the heated face of the thermoelectric module, with the othersystem involving the cooled face thereof. The heat exchanger included inthe latter system will work to cool down any desired foreign object,article or the like.

The prior art, that is the preceding invention shown in the gazette“WO92/13243”, provides a practical cooling technology utilizing thethermoelectric module. However, since this invention merely teaches abasic structure of the cooling devices or apparatuses, some features ordrawbacks of said structure have to be improved or resolved if and whenit is applied to refrigerators or the like.

For example, those cooling devices of the thermoelectric module type areof a cooling efficiency lower than those of the known and conventionalflon gas type.

In order to achieve a higher efficiency, the structure which the gazette“WO92/13243” has taught must be improved in respect of the structure ofsaid module's heat transfer faces and the heat exchanging media kept incontact therewith.

Another gazette “WO95/31688” (of International Patent Application No.PCT/AU95/00271) discloses a further previous invention comprising ameans for raising efficiency of heat exchange between the thermoelectricmodule and the heat exchanging media. This invention teaches agitatorsthat are disposed in cavities formed in a manifold so as to increaseeffective contact areas of said media with the module.

It is however to be noted that any practical means for driving theagitators within the cavities is not proposed in the gazette“WO95/31688”. Although the agitators installed in the cavities may besomewhat useful in resolving the problem discussed above, any suggestionon how to rotate the agitators is not given therein.

Those agitators in “WO95/31688” which will rotate anyhow to increase theeffective contact areas of the module with the heat exchanging media islikely to produce bubbles in or bring bubbles into the cavities,undesirably resulting in less effective contact of said module with saidmedia.

The thermoelectric module in “WO95/31688” is rendered round or circularin shape for the purpose of smooth rotation of the agitators within themanifold's cavities.

An example of such module employed in “WO95/31688” is of a structure orshape as shown herein in FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of the round thermoelectric module used in“WO95/31688”, and FIG. 21 is a cross section of this module.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, the reference numeral 200 denotes a Peltier element,and the further numerals 202 and 203 respectively denote electrodes andaluminum plates. As seen in these figures, the prior art round moduleconsists of the Peltier element 200 and the electrodes 202 arrangedgenerally to form a circular configuration, wherein those element issandwiched between discs together with the electrodes.

The known structure disclosed in “WO95/31688” may possibly render itpossible to make a circular thermoelectric module. However, it is noteasy to commercially manufacture modules of such a conventionalstructure. More specifically, it is difficult to position the Peltierelement 200 and those electrodes 202 within a generally round contourthat these members have to assume as a whole.

It also is difficult to stack several Peltier elements one on another ina laminating fashion according to the prior art structure, even if sucha composition might produce much lower temperatures.

In addition, the prior art cooling apparatus of the describedthermoelectric module type has required certain pumps to circulate theheat exchanging media.

It is known in the art to employ a certain transmission of magnet typein order to drive the pumps for circulating the heat exchanging media(see “WO94/18516”).

The present invention, that was made in view of the problems inherent inthe described prior art, does hereby propose a quite novel manifoldwhose built-in thermoelectric module can be kept well in an excellentcontact with heat exchanging media so as to afford an improvedefficiency of heat exchange.

Further, the present invention provides a newly developed circularthermoelectric module that is not only easy to manufacture but also issuited for laminated composition.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention made to diminish the drawbacks in the prior artprovides a manifold comprising a built-in thermoelectric module that hasat least two heat transfer faces such that one of the faces is heatedand the other face is cooled when an electric current is applied to themodule, a manifold body covering at least one of the heat transfer facesand defining a cavity between the one face and the body, a medium inletthrough which a heat exchanging medium flows into the cavity, and amedium outlet through which the medium flows out of said cavity, whereinthe heat transfer faces of the thermoelectric module stands upright andthe medium outlet is disposed in an upper region of the cavity.

Thus, the manifold of the present invention has the inlet and outletformed for the heat exchanging medium to flow into and out of thecavity, with the thermoelectric module being disposed vertically andwith the outlet being located in an upper region of said cavity. Byvirtue of this feature, any bubbles that might be entrained into thecavity will rise along the upright heat transfer faces. Those bubbles orair will then be discharged quickly through the outlet at the top of thecavity. Such a smooth discharge of bubbles contributes to better contactof the medium with the module's faces, thereby affording a higherefficiency of heat exchange.

Preferably, the medium outlet may be slanted somewhat.

Such an oblique outlet which the manifold comprises will assist thebubbles to smoothly move away from the manifold.

Also preferably, agitators are disposed rotatably in the cavity.

From another aspect, the present invention made to resolve the drawbacksin the prior art provides a manifold comprising a built-inthermoelectric module that has at least two heat transfer faces suchthat one of the faces is heated and the other face is cooled when anelectric current is applied to the module, a manifold body covering atleast one of the heat transfer faces and defining a cavity between theone face and the body, a (first) agitator disposed in the at least onecavity and having a (first) shaft, a pump accompanied by the manifoldand having a (second) agitator and a (second) shaft, with the shaftsextending in alignment with each other, rotors respectively connected tothe agitators, and a single stator surrounding both the rotors so thatthe stator and the rotors form a motor capable of rotating the (first)agitator in the cavity together with the (second) agitator of the pump.

In the manifold of this structure and having the built-in thermoelectricmodule, the single stator and the two rotors constitute the motor suchthat said rotors drive the agitator in the cavity together with theagitator of the pump. Therefore, the manifold is rendered integral withthe pump and accordingly the number of necessary parts is reduced.

The manifold just discussed above is so constructed that the cavity perse will serve as another pump.

In one of preferable modes of the invention, the manifold body coversthe thermoelectric module such that one cavity is provided beside theheated face of said module and within the body, with the other cavitylikewise provided beside the cooled face. The agitators are installed inthe respective cavities, and a transmission is provided for them totransmit torque of the one agitator in the one cavity to the otheragitator in the other cavity so as to rotate them within the respectivecavities.

From still another aspect, the present invention provides a manifoldcomprising a built-in thermoelectric module that has at least two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering the module so that one cavity is formed beside the heatedface of said module and within the body, with the other cavity likewiseformed beside the cooled face, agitators installed in the respectivecavities, a driving means for rotating one of the agitators, and atransmission for transmitting torque of the one agitator to the otheragitator so that as the one agitator is driven within the one cavity,the other agitator receives torque from the one agitator so as to rotatewithin the other cavity.

In the manifold of this structure, the heat exchanging media flow eachin a circle within each cavity to thereby improve contact coefficient ofthe media contacting the module's heat transfer faces, thus raisingefficiency of heat exchange.

The single driving means can drive both the agitators located onrespective sides of the heated and cooled faces of the module built inthe manifold, whereby the number of constituent parts is reduced and theoverall outer size of the manifold is decreased.

The agitators rotating within the respective cavities also contributesto efficient contact of the media with the module's faces and thusaffords a higher efficiency of heat exchange.

Desirably, transmission of force between the agitators may rely onmagnetic mechanism.

In such a manifold having the built-in module, force or torque will betransmitted magnetically between the agitators. This non-contact typetransmission is advantageous in that the cavities are insulated fromeach other and consequently one of the media being heated is protectedfrom mixing with the other medium being cooled.

It also is desirable that outer dimension of the cavities is greaterthan that of the module's heat transfer faces so that magnetic piecesconstituting the magnetic transmission mechanism are fixed on agitators'regions confronting the portion along and outside the periphery of themodule.

The magnetic pieces or members employed in this structure are locatedalong and outside the periphery of the thermoelectric module. In otherwords, magnetic pieces are apart from the module so as to protect thelatter from magnetic influence.

In an alternative mode, a common shaft penetrates both the cavities sothat torque of one agitator is transmitted by and through this shaft tothe other agitator.

The manifold of this structure is advantageous in that power is directlytransmitted from one agitator to the other, giving a higher efficiencyof transmission.

The driving means mentioned above may generally be an electric motor,and a rotor of this motor will operatively be connected to one of theagitators. Preferably, the magnetic center line of the motor's rotor isnot in alignment with the magnetic center line of the stator mentionedabove, and this line is offset rearwardly of the agitators.

It is preferable that the thermoelectric module repeatedly discussedabove is of a circular contour.

Such a round configuration will diminish futile peripheral portions ofthe module built in the manifold.

Further, the module may consist of an element molded as a plate and apair of heat conductive discs sandwiching same.

This plate-shaped module can substantially serve as a roundthermoelectric module.

In another alternative mode, a plurality of Peltier elements arearranged and fixed in position to form a rectangular envelope to providea rectangular thermoelectric element, and the latter is sandwiched byand between two or more discs.

Such an arrangement of the Peltier elements to form a rectangular groupdisposed between the two or more discs provides a rectangular or squarecomposite module.

This module will generally have a round appearance.

The module of this substantially round type is easy to manufacture andsuited to laminate Peltier elements with each other.

The rectangular thermoelectric element referred to above may preferablybe prepared by sandwiching same with and between ceramics layers oraluminum oxide layers.

Further, those rectangular elements may be stacked one on another so asto produce much lower temperatures.

Additionally, those rectangular elements can also be arranged side byside and sandwiched between discs to provide a round composite module ofa larger surface area. It is desirable that the discs noted above are ofa rough outer surface adapted to enhance efficiency of heat exchange.

All the alternative thermoelectric modules summarized above andapplicable to any mode of the present invention have not been known inthe art.

The manifold body or casing may cover only one heat transfer face of themodule, with the other face being secured to any appropriate heatconductive plate.

The manifold of this structure may be used to directly cool any ambientarticle or air by means of such a conductive plate.

From a further aspect of the invention, provided herein is a manifoldcomprising rectangular thermoelectric element in which a plurality ofPeltier elements are arranged and which is sandwiched between discs soas to provide a generally round module, the round module having two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering the module so that one cavity is formed beside the heatedface of said module and within the body, with another cavity beinglikewise formed beside the cooled face, the manifold body or casinghaving a medium inlet through which the medium flows into each cavity aswell as a medium outlet through which the medium flows out of eachcavity, wherein the heat transfer faces of the thermoelectric modulestands upright and the medium outlet is disposed in an upper region ofthe cavity, agitators installed in each cavity, a transmission formagnetically transmitting torque of the one agitator to the otheragitator, a pump secured to the manifold body and having furtheragitator with a shaft in alignment with a further shaft of the agitator,separate rotors connected to the agitator in the cavity and to theagitator of the pump, a stator surrounding both the rotors so that thestator and the rotors form a motor and when the agitator in one cavityas well as the agitator of the pump are driven the other agitator in theother cavity magnetically receives torque from the one agitator thusrotating within the one cavity.

Each of the described manifolds described hereinbefore and provided withthe built-in thermoelectric modules is useful to construct a coolingapparatus. A piping will be connected to and between the manifold and anexternal heat exchanger so as to form a loop for the cooling apparatus.

In detail, the cooling apparatus provided herein does comprise manifoldhaving a built-in thermoelectric module, an external heat exchanger anda loop-shaped piping connected to and extending between the manifold andthe heat exchanger, wherein the manifold comprises at least two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering the module so that one cavity is formed beside the heatedface of said module and within the body, with another cavity likewiseformed beside the cooled face, agitators installed in the respectivecavities, a driving means for rotating one of the agitators, and atransmission for transmitting torque of the one agitator to the otheragitator so that as the one agitator is driven within the one cavity,the other agitator receives torque from the one agitator and rotateswithin the other cavity, and at least one of the agitators force theheat exchanging medium in the manifold to flow into and circulatethrough the piping.

It is noted here that the manifold comprising the built-in module hasthe agitators that are disposed in the cavities and urge the heatexchanging medium to circulate within the system, thus dispensing withany pump.

The manifold just referred to above may be replaced with another type ofmanifold also comprising a built-in thermoelectric module that has atleast two heat transfer faces such that one of the faces is heated andthe other face is cooled when an electric current is applied to themodule, a manifold body covering at least one of the heat transfer facesand defining a cavity between the one face and the body, a (first)agitator disposed in the at least one cavity and having a (first) shaft,a pump accompanied by the manifold and having a (second) agitator and a(second) shaft, with the shafts extending in alignment with each other,rotors respectively connected to the agitators, and a single statorsurrounding both the rotors so that the stator and the rotors form amotor capable of rotating the (first) agitator in the cavity togetherwith the (second) agitator of the pump.

Alternatively, the manifold just referred to above with respect to thecooling apparatus may be replaced with another type of manifold alsocomprising a built-in thermoelectric module that has at least two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering at least one of the heat transfer faces and defining acavity between the one face and the body, a medium inlet through which aheat exchanging medium flows into the cavity, a medium outlet throughwhich the medium flows out of said cavity, and an agitator disposed androtating in the cavity, wherein the heat transfer faces of thethermoelectric module stands upright and the medium outlet is disposedin an upper region of the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifold having abuilt-in thermoelectric module and provided in a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the manifold seen in the direction of thearrow ‘A’ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another side elevation of the manifold seen in the directionof the arrow ‘B’ in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the manifold shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric moduleincorporated in the module shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the module of a rectangular type;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an agitator installed in the manifold ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation of the agitator shown in FIG. 7 and a crosssection taken along the line C—C;

FIG. 9 is a scheme of a cooling apparatus in which the manifold shown inFIG. 1 is utilized;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifold having abuilt-in thermoelectric module and provided in a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11 is likewise a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifoldhaving a built-in thermoelectric module and provided in a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is also a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifold having abuilt-in thermoelectric module and provided in a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 13 is similarly a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifoldhaving a built-in thermoelectric module and provided in a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14(a) is a cross-sectional front elevation of a manifold having abuilt-in thermoelectric module and provided in a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14(b) is a cross-sectional plan view of the manifold shown in FIG.14(a);

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold having a built-inthermoelectric module and provided in a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold having a built-inthermoelectric module and provided in an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17(a) is a front elevation of the module installed in the manifoldof the eighth embodiment (with the module illustrated without a disc113);

FIG. 17(b) is a cross section of the module of FIG. 17(a) and showntogether with the disc 113;

FIG. 18(a) is a front elevation of the module installed in the manifoldof a ninth embodiment (with the module illustrated without a disc 113);

FIG. 18(b) is a cross section of the module of FIG. 18(a) and showntogether with the disc 113;

FIG. 19(a) is a front elevation of the module installed in the manifoldof a tenth embodiment (with the module illustrated without a disc 113);

FIG. 19(b) is a cross section of the module of FIG. 19(a) and showntogether with the disc 113;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of the prior art circular thermoelectricmodule disclosed in the international application No. “PCT/AU/00271”;and

FIG. 21 is a cross section of the module shown in FIG. 20.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, the best modes of carrying out the present invention will bedescribed below in detail and making reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9.

The reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 to 9 generally denotes a manifoldthat has a built-in thermoelectric module employed in the firstembodiment. The manifold 1 generally consists of a cooling side section2, a heating side section 3, a cooling side agitator 5, a heating sideagitator 6, a thermoelectric nodule 7 and a motor assembly 8.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cooling side section 2 consists of amanifold body 10, a shaft holder 11, a lid 12, a shaft 13 and a seal 14.The manifold body 10 has a disc-shaped portion and a boss-shaped portionformed integral therewith.

A round recess 15 is formed in the disc-shaped portion of the manifoldbody 10. Similarly, a round or cylindrical recess 16 is formed in theboss-shaped portion. A partition 19 disposed between the recesses 15 and16 has a bore 20 such that these recesses communicate with each otherthrough the bore 20.

A short cylindrical inlet 21 secured to the boss-shaped portion allows afluid to flow into this portion. A similar short cylindrical outlet 22secured to the disc-shaped portion allows the fluid to flow out of theinterior of this portion. The outlet 22 is slanted, and preferablyextends tangentially of the recess 15 as seen in the drawings.

Both the inlet 21 and outlet 22 in the embodiment extending in fixeddirections are located at bottom and top, respectively. Thus, the inlet21 vertically faces downwards, with the outlet 22 obliquely facingupwards. This arrangement is common in other embodiments that will bedescribed below.

The lid 12 mentioned above stops an opening of the recess 16 formed inthe manifold body 10 and has a blind central hole 23 for receiving theshaft.

The shaft holder 11 consists of a rim 25, a boss 26 surrounded therebyand spokes 27 connecting the rim to the boss. There are present severalopenings between those rim and boss, and the latter has a bore. Thecooling side agitator 5 is a stirrer that comprises five vanes 31 fixedon one side of a disc 30). Each vane 31. that has a narrower inner orcentripetal region continuing to a broader outer or peripheral region infront-elevational view (see FIG. 7). Those vanes 31 curvedcounterclockwise have their leading edges gradually protruding more andmore towards their peripheral ends in a direction of their rotation, inan ascending manner.

The vanes forming the cooling side agitator 5 need not necessarily be ofthat shape which has just detailed above, but may be windmill-shaped,propeller-shaped or may be simple rectangular planes fixed on andstanding upright from a disc.

A permanent magnet 33 of a cubic shape is embedded in each vane 31, inthe present embodiment.

Small lugs 34 distributed along the periphery of the disc 30 areattached to a back side thereof.

The heating side manifold section 3 of a shape and structure similar tothat of the cooling side one thus comprises a manifold body 36 and ashaft holder 37. Configuration of this body 36 is a reflected image(viz., mirror image) of that which the cooling side manifold body 10has. A disc-shaped portion and a boss-shaped portion of said body 36have also recesses 38 and 39 both round in cross section, and apartition 40 between these portions has a bore 41. An inlet 42 and anoutlet 43 are secured to the boss-shaped and disc-shaped portions,respectively.

The shaft holder 37 is of the same shape as that of the cooling sideshaft holder.

Also, the heating side agitator 6 is of the same structure as that ofcooling side.

The motor assembly 8 comprises a casing 45 and a rotor 46, and thecasing is of a double cylinder shape so that a cylindrical centralchamber 47 is provided. This chamber 47 is liquid-tightly insulated fromthe interior of the casing 45 in which an induction coil as a stator 48is accommodated.

The rotor 46 is made of a permanent magnet, which in this embodiment iscomposed of magnetic particles blended with and distributed throughoutthe mass of a suitable plastics.

The thermoelectric module 7 used in this embodiment is disc-shaped andcomposed of a rectangular thermoelectric element 111 fixedly gripped byand between a pair of aluminum discs 112 and 113.

A Peltier element known in the art and used herein as the element 111comprises a number of n-type semiconductors and a number of p-typesemiconductors. As will be seen in FIG. 6 showing the cross section ofthe element 111, every two adjacent ones of staggered electrodes 102that are arranged in an upper row and lower row are electricallyconnected to each p-type and n-type thermoelectric semiconductors 115and 116. Thus, all the semiconductors are connected in series to eachother between a pair of insulating plates 18 made of a suitable ceramicsand covering the electrodes. It will however be understood that aminimum unit of such a Peltier element is a couple of one p-typesemiconductor 115 and one n-type semiconductor 116. Usually, a solderwill be use to connect those semiconductors to the electrodes.

Any appropriate type of the known adhesives may be utilized to bond thediscs 112 and 113 to such an element 111.

It is desirable to roughen the outer surface of each disc 112 and 113,though may be smooth. Roughness of or greater than 20 micrometers isrecommended herein to ensure effective contact of said discs with theheat exchanging media. An upper limit of roughness is 1 mm or less,depending on thickness of those discs.

A positioning notch or cutout (not shown) is formed in each disc 112 and113.

Details in structure of the manifold I will now be described. Thecooling side section 2 is combined with the heating side section 3, withan O-ring 9 being interposed therebetween. The thermoelectric module 7is disposed centrally of the manifold, and its periphery bears againstother O-rings 4 held in facing peripheral zones of the manifoldsections. The motor assembly 8 is attached to the outer surface of theheating side section 3.

Structure of the manifold will further be detailed below. The coolingside and heating side manifold bodies 10 and 36 are united with eachother in the manner just described above, with the module 7 beingdisposed at an inner central region of the manifold. The lid 12 is fixedon the cooling side body 10 so as to close the opening of itsboss-shaped portion. The shaft holder 11 is set in place in the recessof said boss-shaped portion so that the shaft 13 extends through theholder and the end of said shaft is received in the hole formed in thelid 12.

A cavity 52 is defined by and between a cooling side heat transfer face50 of the module 7 and the recess 15 of the manifold body's 10disc-shaped portion. The cooling side agitator 5 fitted in this cavity52 and having a center supported by the shaft 13 is capable of rotatingtherearound or therewith.

Similarly to the cooling side, a further cavity 55 is defined by andbetween a heating side heat transfer face 51 of the module 7 and therecess 38 of the manifold body's 36 disc-shaped portion. The heatingside agitator 6 fits in this cavity 55, and the shaft holder similarlyextends through the boss-shaped portion's recess 39.

Instead of the lid 12 closing the cooling side manifold body 10, themotor assembly 8 serves to cover the heating side outer face.

In detail, the casing 45 of this assembly 8 is secured to theboss-shaped portion of the heating side manifold body 36 so that thecentral chamber 47 in the casing accommodates therein the rotor 46. Itis to be noted here that a magnetic center line 58 is intentionallyoffset rearward with respect to that 59 of the stator 48.

A shaft 60 fixed through the rotor 46 extends through the shaft holder37 to be firmly secured to the heating side agitator 6.

The manifold 1 of the described embodiment discussed above will operateas follows.

This manifold 1 may be utilized as a part of such a cooling apparatus asshown in FIG. 9.

The cooling side of the manifold I may be connected by a piping to anevaporator (as one of heat exchangers) 65 suited to absorb heat, whilstthe heating side of said manifold is connected to a condenser (as theother heat exchanger) 67 for emitting heat.

The heat transfer faces 50 and 51 of the thermoelectric modules 7incorporated in the manifold 1 have to be positioned vertically so thatthe inlets 21 and 42 are located downwards and the outlets 22 and 43upwards.

Pipes 68 and 69 leading to the manifold 1 will thus be connected to theinlets 21 and 42 on the downside. Other pipes 63 and 64 extending fromcorresponding air vents 61 and 62 that are attached to the outlets 22and 43 on the upside will lead to the evaporator 65 and condenser 67,respectively. Outlet ports of those evaporator and condenser are securedto upstream ends of the pipes 68 and 69 mentioned above, thereby formingdifferent and separate closed circuits.

These closed circuits may be filled with water or with an aqueous liquidcomprising water as a major ingredient, so as to serve as the heatexchanging media. It is preferable that the medium circulating withinthe cooling side circuit contains a proper amount of propylene glycolthat makes the medium unfreezable. The other medium in the heating sidecircuit may preferably be water, which has a large specific heat, oralternatively a liquid whose major ingredient is water, though notdelimited thereto.

In the example just discussed above, the manifold 1 itself works as ameans for urging those liquid media to flow through the circuits,enabling it to dispense with pumps.

The manifold 1 thus prepared ready to run will be started by energizingthe module 7 thereof as well as the motor assembly 8.

Consequently, the cooling side face 50 in the thermoelectric module 7will automatically be cooled, with the heating side face 51 beingsimultaneously be heated.

The rotor 46 in the motor assembly will start to rotate to drive theheating side agitator 6 to rotate within the heating side cavity 55.

Since the both the agitators 5 and 6 facing one another beyond thethermoelectric module 7 have the magnets 33 attracting one anotheracross said module, the cooling side agitator 5 will be induced torotate within the cooling side cavity 52.

Thus upon start of the motor assembly 8, kinetic energy imparted to theagitators 5 and 6 will force same to turn within the respective cavities52 and 55.

Due to inertia thus given to the heat exchanging media, they tend toflow out of those cavities 52 and 55 respectively through the outlets 22and 43, whereby fresh amounts of said media are sucked into saidcavities through the respective inlets 21 and 42. It is noted here thatthose successive masses of the media entering the manifold 1 in thismanner will flow at first into the cylindrical recesses 16 and 39,before arriving at the round recesses 15 and 38 via the bores 20 and 41while being driven by the agitators 5 and 6 to leave the manifoldthrough the outlets 22 and 43. It is also to be noted that in theheating side, although the heat exchanging medium flows into theboss-shaped portion and then into the chamber 47 of the motor assemblyto thereby wet its rotor 46, the latter made substantially of plasticswill be protected well from rusting.

As the heat exchanging media are stirred in the cavities 52 and 53, theyefficiently contact the heat transfer faces 50 and 51 to enhance heattransfer between them and the latter. In particular in the describedembodiment, blades of the agitators 5 and 6 have their front surfacesslanted axially thereof. Thanks to this feature, the media fractions areconstantly urged towards the transfer faces 50 and 51 so that such aforced contact thereof with said fractions will furthermore improve heattransfer efficiency.

Always during rotation of those agitators 5 and 6, as the agitators urgethe media fractions towards the faces 50 and 51, the agitators receivereactions from the media fractions, thus tending to be biased rearwards.On the other hand, the magnetic center line 58 of the rotor 46 isdesigned offset rearward relative to that 59 of the stator 48, so that amagnetic force imparted to the turning rotor 46 will force thosemagnetic center lines 58 and 59 into alignment with each other. Thus,the force biasing the agitators 5 and 6 rearwards is compensated withsuch a righting moment. In addition, the small lugs 34 formed on theagitators 5 and 6 will bear against the walls of the manifold bodies 10and 36, whereby these agitators are protected from coming into africtional close contact with said walls that would prevent saidagitators from turning smoothly.

Any bubbles coming into the thermoelectric module 7 will easily ascendalong the upright transfer faces 50 and 51 disposed therein, therebyinhibiting those bubbles from hindering good contact of said faces withthe heat exchanging media.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed inbrief, wherein description on those members depicted with the samereference numerals and doing the same function as in the firstembodiment will not be repeated hereinafter in the second and succeedingfurther embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front elevation of another manifoldprovided according to the second embodiment and also has athermoelectric module secured therein.

Similarly to the first embodiment, this manifold 70 comprises a heatingside agitator 71 transmitting its torque to a cooling side one 72.However, magnets 73 are secured to these agitators at differentlocations than those disposed in the first embodiment.

Cavities 74 and 75 formed in this manifold 70 are each of a verticalarea greater than that of the module 7. Although the module in the firstembodiment serves as a complete partition that insulates the cavitiesfrom each other, the relatively small thermoelectric module in thesecond embodiment is complemented with a thin and auxiliary annular wall76 to do so. The magnets 73 are arranged along and outside a peripheryof each agitator 71 and 72 and adjacent to the auxiliary wall 76.

This feature protects the thermoelectric module 7 from any adverseinfluence that might be caused by the magnets 73. A distance betweensuch arrays of magnets facing one another is considerably reduced inthis embodiment, so that torque transmission between the agitators 71and 72 will be more efficient.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

Next, a third embodiment will be described referring to FIG. 11 that isa cross-sectional front elevation of a manifold, which likewisecomprises a set-in thermoelectric module.

Whereas the two preceding embodiments utilize magnetic force, a shaft 78is equipped in this third embodiment to transmit torque between theagitators 5 and 6.

In detail, the manifold 80 has an elongate shaft 78 that is fixed in andthrough the rotor 46 and penetrates the module 7. This shaft 78extending into the cooling side cavity 52 is fixedly connected to theagitator 5 disposed therein, thereby making it possible to directlydrive it along with the other agitator 6 of the heating side.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

A fourth embodiment will be described referring to FIG. 12 that is across-sectional front elevation of a still another manifold comprising abuilt-in thermoelectric module.

All of the three preceding embodiments employ two agitators accommodatedin the heating and cooling cavities, respectively, and the single motorassembly works to drive both the heating and cooling side agitators. Incontrast with such a structure, the manifold 82 in the fourth embodimenta motor assembly 83 drives the heating side agitator 6 and an internalpump 84.

The pump 84 is integral with a rear portion of the motor assembly 83built in the manifold 82 of the present embodiment. A casing 85 of saidmotor assembly has an additional core chamber 86 located at the rearportion so as to receive an additional rotor 87. The additional corechamber 86 is separated from the above mentioned chamber 47 located infront of the additional one.

A shaft 88 for the rotor 87 is disposed in alignment with the shaft 60for the rotor 46, and operatively connected to a blade assembly 89 ofthe internal pump 84.

A stator 90 placed in the casing 85 and extending along the rotors 46and 87 is of a length sufficient to surround both the rotors. Thus, onestator 90 and two rotors 46 and 87 constitute the motor assembly in thiscase.

By switching on the stator 90 existing in the manifold 82 with thebuilt-in module of this embodiment, the two rotors 46 and 87 will startto rotate to drive in turn the agitator 6 and the blade assembly 89 ofthe pump 84.

To construct a cooling apparatus using the manifold 82, the condenser 67may be set in a heating side closed circuit to communicate with theoutlet 43 on one hand and with the inlet 42 on the other hand, similarlyto the circuit described above. The internal pump 84 having a suctionport 91 and a delivery port 93 will however be incorporated in a coolingside circuit, in the following manner. Namely, the outlet 22communicates with the suction port 91 through a piping so that themedium effluent from the delivery port 93 returns through the evaporator65 to the inlet 42.

The inlets 21 and 42 of the manifold 82 of this embodiment are alsodisposed downwards, with the outlets 22 and 43 obliquely facing upwards,as is in the above described embodiments.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

A fifth embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 13, which also is across-sectional front elevation of a further manifold.

This manifold of the sixth embodiment is peculiar in that its singleinlet 42 takes a lower position and its single outlet 43 takes an upperoblique position, in common with a sixth embodiment discussed below.

As will be seen in FIG. 13, the manifold 92 covers only the heating sideof the thermoelectric module and no manifold section is provided for thecooling side. The cooling side heat transfer face 50 of this module isfixed on a wall 99 (viz., conductive plate) of a box-shaped container orthe like 93, such that said face and said wall are kept in direct andclose contact with each other. Such a manifold may cooperate with thebox-shaped container, allowing the latter to hold any articles to becooled therein as in a refrigerator.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

A sixth embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14, which also is across-sectional front elevation of a still further manifold.

This manifold also corresponds only to the heating side. The coolingside heat transfer face 50 of the module directly and closely contacts awall (conductive plate) 98 of a fin member 96, that may be used to coolair in a refrigerator.

SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15.The seventh and succeeding embodiments differ from the first embodimentonly in a thermoelectric module 120. Description of the structuralfeatures of the manifold will not be repeated, because they are the sameas those of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals areallotted to the same elements as those which have been discussed inrelation to the module in the foregoing embodiments, also avoidingrepetition.

As already mentioned above and shown in FIG. 5, the module 7 in thefirst embodiment consists of one rectangular thermoelectric element 111of a square shape sandwiched by and between aluminum discs 112 and 113.however, the module 120 in the present embodiment consists of two suchelements 111 of the thermoelectric property and sandwiched between thetwo discs 112 and 113. The two elements 111 in this case are piled oneon another.

As the elements 111 are piled in the module 120 in this embodiment, themodule can produce much lower temperatures. Therefore the manifoldcontaining the module therein can cool articles to much lowertemperatures.

It will be understood that the module provided in this embodiment mayalso be used in any of the manifolds of the second to sixth embodiments.

EIGHTH EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an eighth embodiment.

Another thermoelectric module 130 in this embodiment consists of anarray of four elements 111. These elements are arranged in a ‘foursquares’ pattern (i.e., a matrix of two rows and two lines) on a commonplane and also sandwiched between the discs 112 and 113.

This module 130 thus has an increased circular area, by virtue of thoseelements disposed side by side.

Any manifold provided in any of the second to sixth embodiments may alsoemploy this module 130.

NINTH EMBODIMENT

In a further module 140 provided in a ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 18,three elements 111 included in one common plane are set in place bysimply removing one square out of the ‘four squares’ pattern.

This module 140 may also be incorporated in any of the manifoldsprovided in the second to sixth embodiments.

TENTH EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) show a tenth embodiment.

The number of thermoelectric elements 111 included in one module iseight, wherein four of them form a layer stacked on another layerconsisting of the remainder.

Such a double-strata structure of this module 150 further comprisesthree discs 112, 151 and 113. Each of the outer discs 112 and 113 hasrough surfaces, with the inner or middle one 151 having smooth surfaces.

Secured between the one outer disc 112 and the middle disc 151 are afirst ‘four squares’ planer array of the elements 111, and likewisesecured between the middle disc 151 and the other outer one 113 are asecond such array of said elements. These arrays are offset relative toeach other, with an angular shift of 45 (forty-five degrees).

Therefore, the thermoelectric module 150 not only have an enlargedcircular area but also affords much lower temperatures.

This module 150 may also be combined with any manifold structureproposed in the second to sixth embodiments.

In summary, each manifold provided herein comprises a thermoelectricmodule whose heat transfer faces are disposed vertically and confrontingthe cavities. Any bubbles appearing in the cavities will easily andquickly ascend along the heat transfer faces and move away from themodule, entering the outlets disposed above the cavities. Consequently,bubbles will never prevent good contact of the faces with the media, notfailing to ensure a high efficiency of heat exchange.

The slanted and upward-facing outlets of the manifold will assist thebubbles to smoothly flow away, entrained in the streams of said heatexchanging media.

The agitators fitted in the cavities will produce therein the swirls ofthe heat exchanging media in the same angular direction of saidagitators, also improving contact of the module's faces with said mediato further enhance the efficiency of heat exchange.

Advantageously, the single stator and the two rotors constitute themotor assembly in the manifold with the built-in thermoelectric module.Thus, the agitator within the cavity as well as the blade assemblywithin the internal pump are rotated by said motor assembly withoutnecessitating any additional or external pump. Consequently, the numberof necessary parts is reduced.

Also advantageously, one of the agitators transmit its torque to theother one so that a single driving source can drive both the agitatorsat the same time. Consequently, the number of necessary parts is reducedand the manifold as a whole is rendered smaller-sized.

This feature is more prominent in a structure that the cavities formedin the manifold respectively accommodate the agitators, whereby thesingle driving source effectively puts both the agitators separatelyheld in said cavities into simultaneous rotation, notwithstanding thereduced number of parts and the compactness of said manifold.

Magnetic force is utilized to transmit torque between the agitators notcontacting one another, thus enabling the cavities to be insulated fromeach other so as to inhibit the heating side medium from mixing with thecooling side one.

In one of the also preferable modes, the cavities are of a diametergreater than that of thermoelectric module such that the magnets fixedon the agitators are arranged along and outside the periphery of saidmodule, to thereby protect the latter from any adverse magneticinfluence.

In another mode, the shaft fixed through one of the agitators maydirectly drive the other also in an efficient manner.

In any case, the thermoelectric module incorporated in each type of themanifolds is round in side elevation, thereby diminishing idle area ofthe manifold.

Square elements constituting the module in the present invention areconsolidated such as to render the module round-shaped.

In still another preferable mode the heat transfer face of the module isset in a direct and close contact with a heat-emitting plate, therebymaking it possible to directly cool ambient air or any articles placedin the vicinity of said plate.

In the cooling apparatus provided herein, each cavity itself performslike as a kind of pump so that any additional pumps of the conventionaltypes can be dispensed with.

Round thermoelectric modules are realized and they are readilymanufactured. Also the multiplication of Peltier elements has becomeeasy. Such round modules have a larger surface area effective totransfer heat.

Square thermoelectric elements stacked one on another between discs ofone module will form a multi-strata structure suited to produce muchlower temperatures.

The array of those elements disposed between the discs and arranged sideby side in each stratum will give the module a larger area for heattransfer.

In still another preferable mode, the discs are of a rough outersurface, thereby enhancing efficiency of heat exchange.

UTILIZEABILITY IN THE INDUSTRIES

The manifold having a built-in thermoelectric module as well as thecooling apparatus employing the module may be used not only as a freezerthat plays a principal role in any refrigerator but also as a coolingdevice in any air conditioner or chiller.

What is claimed is:
 1. A manifold comprising: a built-in thermoelectricmodule that has at least two heat transfer faces such that one of thefaces is heated and the other face is cooled when an electric current isapplied to the module, a manifold body covering the module to define afirst cavity beside the heated face of said module and within the bodyand to define a second cavity beside the cooled face; agitators in therespective cavities; a driving means for rotating one of the agitators;and a transmission for transmitting torque of the one agitator to theother agitator so that the one agitator is driven within the firstcavity, the other agitator receiving torque from the one agitator so asto rotate within the second cavity.
 2. A manifold as defined in claim 1,wherein transmission of force between the agitators relies on a magneticmechanism.
 3. A manifold as defined in claim 2, wherein outer dimensionsof the cavities are greater than those of the module's heat transferfaces so that magnetic pieces constituting the magnetic transmissionmechanism are fixed on agitators' regions confronting the portion alongand outside the periphery of the module.
 4. A manifold as defined inclaim 1, wherein a common shaft penetrates both the cavities so thattorque of one agitator is transmitted by and through this shaft to theother agitator.
 5. A manifold as defined in claim 1, wherein themanifold body has an inlet for causing a heat exchanging medium to flowinto at least one of the cavities, and an outlet for causing the mediumto flow out of this cavity, and wherein the heat transfer faces aredisposed vertically so that the outlet is disposed at an uppermostportion of said cavity.
 6. A manifold as defined in claim 5, wherein theoutlet protrudes upwards and obliquely.
 7. A manifold as defined inclaim 1, wherein the thermoelectric module is of a circular contour. 8.A manifold as defined in claim 1, wherein the module comprises anelement molded as a plate and sandwiched between a pair of heatconductive discs.
 9. A manifold as defined in claim 7, wherein at leastone rectangular thermoelectric element is sandwiched by and between twoor more discs to provide the module, wherein a plurality of Peltierelements are arranged and fixed in position to form said rectangularthermoelectric element.
 10. A manifold as defined in claim 9, whereinthe thermoelectric element is sandwiched between the discs that arelayers of a substance selected from the group consisting of ceramics andaluminum oxide.
 11. A manifold as defined in claim 9, wherein thethermoelectric elements are stacked one on another between the discs.12. A manifold as defined in claim 9, wherein the thermoelectricelements are arranged side by side between the discs.
 13. A manifold asdefined in claim 9, wherein the discs are each of a roughened outersurface.
 14. A manifold as defined in claim 1, wherein the driving meansis a motor assembly comprising a rotor and a stator and the rotor isconnected to one of the agitators such that magnetic center line of therotor is offset relative to magnetic center line of the stator, and theformer center line is deviated rearwardly of center lines of theagitators.
 15. A manifold comprising: a built-in thermoelectric modulethat has at least two heat transfer faces such that one of the faces isheated and the other face is cooled when an electric current is appliedto the module, a manifold body covering the heat transfer faces anddefining a first cavity between the one face and the body and a secondcavity between the other face and the body; a first agitator disposed inthe one cavity and having a first shaft; an internal pump accompanied bythe manifold and having a second agitator disposed in the second cavityand a second shaft, with the shafts extending in alignment with eachother; rotors respectively connected to the agitators; and a singlestator surrounding both rotors so that the stator and the rotors form amotor assembly capable of rotating the first agitator in the firstcavity together with the second agitator of the pump.
 16. A manifold asdefined in claim 1 5, further comprising a transmission for transmittingtorque of the one agitator in the first cavity so as to rotate themwithin the respective cavities.
 17. A manifold as defined in claim 16,wherein transmission of force between the agitators relies on a magneticmechanism.
 18. A manifold as defined in claim 16, wherein outerdimension of the cavities is greater than that of the module's heattransfer faces so that magnetic pieces constituting the magnetictransmission mechanism are fixed on agitators' regions confronting theportion along and outside the periphery of the module.
 19. A manifold asdefined in claim 16, wherein a common shaft penetrates both the cavitiesso that torque of one agitator is transmitted by and through this shaftto the other agitator.
 20. A manifold as defined in claim 15, whereinthe manifold body has an inlet for causing a heat exchanging medium toflow into at least one of the cavities, and an outlet for causing themedium to flow out of this cavity, and wherein the heat transfer facesare disposed vertically so that the outlet is disposed at an uppermostportion of said cavity.
 21. A manifold as defined in claim 20, whereinthe outlet protrudes upwards and obliquely.
 22. A manifold as defined inclaim 15, wherein the thermoelectric module is of a circular contour.23. A manifold as defined in claim 15, wherein the module comprises anelement molded as a plate and sandwiched between a pair of heatconductive discs.
 24. A manifold as defined in claim 15, wherein aplurality of rectangular Peltier elements are arranged and fixed inposition to form a rectangular group of them, and sandwiched by andbetween two or more discs to provide the module.
 25. A manifold asdefined in claim 24, wherein the Peltier elements are sandwiched betweenthe discs that are layers of a substance selected from the groupconsisting of ceramics and aluminum oxide.
 26. A manifold as defined inclaim 24, wherein the Peltier elements are stacked one on anotherbetween the discs.
 27. A manifold as defined in claim 24, wherein thePeltier elements are arranged side by side between the discs.
 28. Amanifold as defined in claim 22, wherein the discs are each of aroughened outer surface.
 29. A manifold as defined in claim 15, whereinthe manifold body covers only one of the heat transfer faces, with theother face of the module being in close contact with a heat conductingplate.
 30. A manifold comprising: a built-in thermoelectric module thathas at least two heat transfer faces such that one of the faces isheated and the other face is cooled when an electric current is appliedto the module; a manifold body covering the heat transfer faces anddefining a first cavity between the one face and the body and a secondcavity between the other face and the body; agitators disposed in saidcavities and adapted to rotate therein; a medium inlet through which aheat exchanging medium flows into the one cavity, and a medium outletthrough which the medium flows out of said one cavity, wherein the heattransfer faces of the thermoelectric module stand upright and the mediumoutlet is disposed in and protrudes from an upper region of the onecavity.
 31. A manifold as defined in claim 30, wherein the medium outletis slanted and facing upwards.
 32. A manifold as defined in claim 30,wherein the manifold body covers the thermoelectric module such that onecavity is provided beside the heated face of said module and within thebody, with the other cavity likewise provided beside the cooled face,and wherein the agitators are installed in the respective cavities, anda magnetic transmission is provided for them to transmit torque of theone agitator in the one cavity to the other agitator in the other cavityso as to rotate them within the respective cavities.
 33. A manifold asdefined in claim 30, wherein the manifold body covers the thermoelectricmodule such that one cavity is provided beside the heated face of saidmodule and within the body, with the other cavity likewise providedbeside the cooled face, and wherein the agitators are installed in therespective cavities, and a shaft extends from the one cavity to theother cavity so as to transmit torque of the one agitator in the onecavity to the other agitator in the other cavity, whereby both theagitators are driven to rotate within the respective cavities.
 34. Amanifold as defined in claim 30, wherein the thermoelectric module is ofa circular contour.
 35. A manifold as defined in claim 30, wherein themodule comprises an element molded as a plate and sandwiched between apair of heat conductive discs.
 36. A manifold as defined in claim 30,wherein at least one rectangular thermoelectric element is sandwiched byand between two or more discs to provide the module, wherein a pluralityof Peltier elements are arranged and fixed in position to form saidrectangular thermoelectric element.
 37. A manifold as defined in claim36 wherein the thermoelectric elements are sandwiched between the discsthat are layers of a substance selected from the group consisting ofceramics and aluminum oxide.
 38. A manifold as defined in claim 36,wherein the thermoelectric elements are stacked one on another betweenthe discs.
 39. A manifold as defined in claim 36, wherein thethermoelectric elements are arranged side by side between the discs. 40.A manifold as defined in claim 34, wherein the discs are each of aroughened outer surface.
 41. A manifold as defined in claim 30, whereinthe manifold body covers only one of the heat transfer faces, with theother face of the module being in close contact with a heat conductingplate.
 42. A thermoelectric module of a round shape wherein at least onerectangular thermoelectric element is sandwiched by and between two ormore discs to provide the module, wherein a plurality of Peltierelements are fixed to position to form said rectangular thermoelectricelement, wherein the Peltier elements are sandwiched between layers of asubstance selected from the group consisting of ceramics and aluminumoxide to form the thermoelectric element.
 43. A thermoelectric module asdefined in claim 42, wherein the thermoelectric elements are stacked oneon another between the discs.
 44. A thermoelectric module as defined inclaim 42, wherein the thermoelectric elements are arranged side by sidebetween the discs.
 45. A thermoelectric module as defined in claim 42,wherein the discs are each of a roughened outer surface.
 46. A manifoldhaving a built-in thermoelectric module and comprising: a plurality ofthermoelectric elements arranged to draw a rectangular contour andsandwiched between discs so as to give the module a generally roundappearance, the round module having two heat transfer faces such thatone of the faces is heated and the other face is cooled when an electriccurrent is applied to the module; a manifold body covering the module sothat one cavity is formed beside the heated face of said module andwithin the body and another cavity is formed beside the cooled face, themanifold body having a medium inlet through which the medium flows intoeach cavity as well as a medium outlet through which the medium flowsout of each cavity, wherein the heat transfer faces of thethermoelectric module stand upright and the medium outlet is disposed inan upper region of the cavity; agitators in each cavity; a transmissionfor magnetically transmitting torque of the one agitator to the otheragitator; a pump secured to the manifold body and having a furtheragitator with a shaft in alignment with a further shaft of the agitator;separate rotors connected to the agitator in the cavity and to theagitator of the pump; and a stator surrounding both the rotors so thatthe stator and the rotors form a motor and when the agitator in onecavity as well as the agitator of the pump is driven the other agitatorin the other cavity magnetically receives torque from the one agitatorthus rotating within the other cavity.
 47. A cooling apparatuscomprising a manifold having a built-in thermoelectric module, a pipingand at least one external heat exchanger communicating with the modulethrough the piping, wherein the manifold comprises at least two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering the module so that one cavity is formed beside the heatedface of said module and within the body and another cavity is formedbeside the cooled face, agitators installed in the respective cavities,a driving means for rotating one of the agitators, and a transmissionfor transmitting torque of the one agitator to the other agitator sothat as the one agitator is driven within the one cavity, the otheragitator receives torque from the one agitator and rotates within theother cavity, and the agitators force the heat exchanging medium in themanifold to flow into and circulate through the piping.
 48. A coolingapparatus comprising a manifold having a built-in thermoelectric module,a piping and at least one external heat exchanger communicating with themodule through the piping, wherein the manifold has at least two heattransfer faces such that one of the faces is heated and the other faceis cooled when an electric current is applied to the module, a manifoldbody covering one of the heat transfer faces to define a first cavitybetween the one face and the body and covering the other heat transferface to define a second cavity between the other face and the body, afirst agitator disposed in the first cavity and having a first shaft, apump accompanied by the manifold and having a second agitator and asecond shaft, with the shafts extending in alignment with each other,rotors respectively connected to the agitators, and a single statorsurrounding both the rotors so that the stator and the rotors form amotor capable of rotating the first agitator in the cavity together withthe second agitator of the pump.
 49. A cooling apparatus comprising amanifold that has a built-in thermoelectric module, a piping and atleast one external heat exchanger communicating with the module throughthe piping, wherein the manifold has at least two heat transfer facessuch that one of the faces is heated and the other face is cooled whenan electric current is applied to the module, a manifold body coveringat least one of the heat transfer faces and defining a cavity betweenthe one face and the body, a medium inlet through which a heatexchanging medium flows into the cavity, a medium outlet through whichthe medium flows out of said cavity, and an agitator disposed in thecavity, wherein the heat transfer faces of the thermoelectric modulestand upright and the medium outlet is disposed in an upper region ofthe cavity.